EXHIBIT 23.1

            CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration
Statements of our reports dated February 27, 2006, with respect to the
consolidated financial statements and schedules of ProAssurance Corporation,
ProAssurance Corporation management's assessment of the effectiveness of
internal control over financial reporting, and the effectiveness of internal
control over financial reporting of ProAssurance Corporation, included in this
Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2005:

      Form S-3 No. 333-109972 pertaining to the registration of $107,600,000
      convertible senior debentures and ProAssurance Corporation shares of
      common stock under this shelf registration;

      Form S-8 No. 333-111136 pertaining to the Amended and Restated
      ProAssurance Corporation Stock Ownership Plan;

      Form S-8 No. 333-81444 pertaining to the ProAssurance Corporation
      Incentive Compensation Stock Plan;

      Form S-8 No. 333-119917 pertaining to the ProAssurance Corporation 2004
      Equity Incentive Plan;

      Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to Form S-4 on Form S-8 File No. 333-49378
      pertaining to the Medical Assurance, Inc. Incentive Compensation Stock
      Plan and Professionals Group, Inc. 1996 Long Term Stock Incentive Plan
      assumed by ProAssurance Corporation;

      Form S-4 No. 333-124156 pertaining to the registration of 2,000,000 common
      shares in connection with the NCRIC Group, Inc. purchase transaction;

      Form S-4 No. 333-131874 relating to the registration of 2,480,050 common
      shares in connection with the proposed Physicians Insurance Company of
      Wisconsin, Inc. transaction.

/s/ Ernst & Young
Birmingham, Alabama
February 27, 2006